The 2026 FIFA World Cup is approaching, but concerns are rising regarding the duration of its matches. According to reports from The Athletic, these worries are primarily linked to safety regulations enforced in the United States.
If lightning is detected within approximately 13 kilometers of a stadium, officials are required to suspend the match immediately. Additionally, play can only resume after a 30-minute interval without any recorded lightning strikes. If another strike occurs during this time, the countdown resets.
Due to these regulations, some matches could experience delays extending to several hours, reminiscent of delays seen during the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Morocco national team recently encountered unexpected and highly unpleasant logistical problems on the eve of the World Cup.